Poppy’s only at the John Barleycorn festival for her mother’s handfasting. Oh, and that it’s a good excuse not to go to Julia’s party, her best friend’s girlfriend. Telling Michael how she feels would be a disaster so it’s better in her mind to stay away. When Poppy discovers a body in the lake, she can’t help but want to know what really happened to the girl. Especially when the police rule it an accidental death.

I really liked Poppy Sinclair and her brand of investigating. It’s not one of those stories where you can’t fathom how the kids are doing police work. Really, all Poppy does is poke her nose in where it’s not wanted and ask questions. The police and her parents are a constant presence, so it’s fairly believable in the context of the story. Poppy is an atheist and sceptic and the story leads her down paths where she starts to doubt. The festival is spiritual in an alternative sense and you start to wonder if there is something supernatural going on. Although there is always the chance that half of the festival goers are high and imagining things.

I was giggling from the first few pages, when Poppy is trying to avoid the anatomically correct wicker man at the hippy festival she’s ended up at. Like any teenager spending time with their parents on a campsite, she obviously finds other things to do and people closer to her age to talk to. Even if that means the hot guy on the burger van. I enjoyed the Lake District setting too; makes a nice change from London and the South!

It reminds me a bit more of the books I read when I was younger and perhaps it is aimed at a slightly younger audience than the typical YA book, but it was still loads of fun and I would definitely continue reading this series.

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Also reviewed @ Readaraptor | Book Angel Booktopia

Shelve next to: Hollow Pike by James Dawson

Source: Purchased